Date of Award

2001

Degree Name

Psychology

College

College of Liberal Arts

Type of Degree

M.A.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Marianna Footo-Linz

Second Advisor

Stephen P. Mewalett

Abstract

This was an open-label study of levetiracetam in children with autism. Many anticonvulsant medications are used for management of externalizing behaviors and mood stability in autism; however, they are not consistently effective and adverse reactions limit their use. The objective of this study was to test the following research questions: (1) to determine whether levetiracetam reduces problematic externalizing behaviors in children with autism, and (2) to determine whether a nootropic effect from levetiracetam may be seen in cognition, memory, and/or language function in children with autism. Evaluations were gathered pre-treatment and during treatment using a battery of cognitive and behavioral measures. During-treatment evaluations were performed after an average of 4.1 weeks taking levetiracetam. Data were analyzed using one-tailed, Student's correlated samples t-tests. Levetiracetam improves hyperactivity, impulsivity and mood stability features of autism. Sensory response measures were significantly worse with treatment. A nootropic effect was not found. Further study is indicated using a double blind, placebo-controlled research design.

Subject(s)

Autism in children.

Autism -- Treatment -- Research.

Nootropic agents.

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